My husband and I have been looking for cat companions for a while, and the folks at PAWS Old City have been very helpful and patient with us! They continually answer our questions and welcome us to meet more of their cats. We adopted our first cat and then a kitten from foster homes through PAWS - they made the process very simple for us! One note is that it may have helped we also are in Old City, so it was easy to come in person and get a response in case we did not hear back via email. We really appreciate the team at PAWS and how they're willing to support our pets, even after we adopted them! I would recommend checking them out if you're looking to adopt and get approved for adoption! read more

The new workers (guess they fired the finger poker girls) seem much nicer and informative. My updated review on Morris Animal Rescue however has changed. I was only talking about the red head woman who checked me out who seemed patient and informative. The rest of staff was horrible and discriminatory. Please my review on their Yelp. No one has reviewed them in over a year so if they take it down this is what I posted today: "Denied adoption of a beautiful kitty on 12/6/24 simply because the kitty had Feline HIV. I believe her name was Snow and she was grey. The women who denied her adoption to me had a less feminine look and it felt as if she was trying to intimidate me or coerce me to violence even though I showed no aggression. The blond woman who was at front desk when you first walk in got up and walked away from the desk without saying a work to me during checkout. I feel she was very disrespectful yet I remained calm and cooperative. I would hate to feel as though I was discriminated against for my race for being more "aggressive" as I did not discriminate against the brunette woman who denied me my first pick kitten for her possible sexuality. Neither racial or sexual orientation discrimination is right yet I felt racial on my end with no disrespect to either women. The red head woman who had to finish my checkout was much kinder and made me feel better about adopting my second choice Shadow. Both the brunette and blonde seemed much nicer to the Caucasian couple that came in as I was leaving who there to pick up foster kittens. Everyone should be treated equally whether race, sexual orientation or disability. They also should not be denied an adoption due to feline hiv as it is very treatable. No matter who you are you should not support this behavior nor allow it to continue. Please report any notes of this even if you are on the fairer side of treatment. " read more

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I reached out to PAWS hoping to adopt or foster a cat--offering a safe, loving home in a city overwhelmed by strays--and was met with a cold, dismissive response. I was told they "don't recommend" adopting a cat to help with a mouse problem, and that they "can't help" me. That was it. I understand not all cats are mousers. That's not the point. The point is that I wanted to give a cat a better life, and PAWS didn't show an ounce of interest in that. For an organization that spays/neuters animals and puts them back on the street, you'd think they'd be eager to find permanent homes--especially for cats who might be a good fit for natural pest control. If you're looking to adopt with care and intention, I'd recommend finding a rescue that actually values people who want to help. read more

TERRIBLE! Absolutely TERRIBLE! We got approved for adoption from this location and got as far as scheduling an appointment to meet the dog. Then, without warning, all communication stopped. I sent 7 emails over the course of a week and a half and didn't get a reply to a single one of them. My kids were SOOOO excited to come meet the dog and now they're asking me questions that I don't have the answers to, just because they can't take the time to let you know what's happening. I don't recommend anyone let PAWS get their hopes up, only to act like you never existed. read more

We got our sweet girl from here in 2019 and she is living the life. Great help from staff, they loved the animals and you could tell they wanted the best homes for them. The facility is small but really well kept. I would easily adopt another animal from here and highly encourage others to do the same. We love our baby!! read more

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Something new has finally come to a vacant corner in the artsy part of Old City. is it another art gallery? no. Another swank bar and restaurant? even better! because now you can walk into this corner spot and play with....PUPPIES! Sorry I'm a dog lover. P.A.W.S. (Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society) has finally opened an adoption center of it's own. So not only can you go in and play with a dog, you might just find a new friend to take home. can't bring one into your house? they can always use volunteers, even if it's just taking a dog on a walk to the nearest park (on the corner of 2nd and Market). Oh, and don't worry cat lovers. they have kitties too! read more

PAWS Downtown Adoption Center - Animal Shelters Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Terrible customer service. Unprofessional, extremely rude, passive aggressive, judgmental and lastly RACIST. Just because I was black they assumed I didn't know how to take care of a pet. I informed her of a cat that I liked and I said that the cat likes me too. Her response was to say "Oh they like everyone, it's nothing special". All of their cats look depressed, skinny, and not properly cared for. I saw one of the employees flick the cat on the nose through the cage because it was being loud. She also shamed me for giving away a previous cat of mine because I had to move and they were aggressive. I would recommend Morris Adoption Center if you're looking to adopt a pet. They are very kind, knowledgeable, and importantly, extremely professional. They love their pets and genuinely want to find a safe and loving home. read more

After losing one of my senior feline companions to cancer, my first plan was not to get another cat but simply live as a one cat household. Of course, that was human thinking. My cat was lonely and mourning his house mate and clearly was in need of another feline companion so I started the PAWS application process and shortly after, got approval to adopt from them. Rather than going to the Old City shelter initially, I started looking at adoptables on the PAWS website and contacting folks who were fostering PAWS cats. I feel you can get a better picture of a cat's behavior and personality in a home situation. Often, in a shelter situation, a cat is stressed, depressed, nervous or lethargic. I would be all of the above, too, if I was taken out of my regular environment and put in a cage, no matter how compassionate my care takers were. Some cats looked great online; adorable pictures and charming bios. Meet and greet with them was sometimes a whole other ball game. One handsome ginger cat was doped up on gabapentin and had a chronic fungus infection in his claws. He refused to come out from under the bed where he was hiding during my hour long visit, though he'd be written up as mellow and sweet. Well, he was certainly 'mellow' if that can be construed as drugged to the whiskers. Other contenders had been already adopted and not yet taken off the site and in a few cases, the fosters never bothered to respond to my repeated queries. PAWS was responsive when I reported that a foster would not get back to me, but of course, they can't compel someone to do so. Finally the stars aligned and I found a good looking, middle aged male cat with a nice bio who was purported to have a wonderful personality and be fine with other cats so off I went to meet him. His fosters were a kind, accommodating young married couple who clearly adored this big tabby boy. I liked him and told his present mistress that I wanted to think about offering him a 'forever home' for a few days. She was fine with that. Long story short-this handsome tabby with the big personality did not work out in my home. My cat loathed him and a lot of territorial stuff ensued-spraying, toileting outside the litter box, me being peed on at night while I slept-to name just a few unpleasantries. All 3 of us were miserable, extremely stressed and in emotional tatters after a month of this. While PAWS and the fosters kept offering encouragement and advice, it was clear this was the match from Hell so the portly gentleman cat went back to his fosters. At no time was I made to feel bad or guilty. Everyone agreed that sometimes things just don't work out and I was given props for trying so hard. After another one cat/lonely cat month, I went to Old City PAWS to meet some of the cats awaiting homes but no one there tugged at my heart. While I was visiting, the young man at the reception desk was kind, understanding and gave me excellent and thorough background on any cat in whom I displayed interest. I finally wound up adopting from another rescue agency which was no reflection on PAWS. I have since made monetary donations to them in memory of my late, beloved cats because they do damn good, hard work and they are fantastic human beings. Don't be daunted by the application process and adopt-don't buy! read more

What a wonderful adoption center. I went in one weekend knowing I wanted a kitty. I ended up finding the perfect little guy for me! Their staff was extremely friendly and helpful. I felt more than comfortable adopting a kitty from them. They have so many resources and an organized adoption system. They also offer some good deals for vets in the area. I recommend it to my friends, and will get another animal there in the future. read more

PAWS Downtown Adoption Center - Cat - Animal Shelters Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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I got my PAWS kitty through a foster parent! I saw the ad on craigslist for cuddliest cat in the world, so me and my boyfriend went off to check him out. He is super adorable, colored like a cow, and likes to play with candy wrappers. I was really excited to take him home and hug him all the time. Wellllll, the little fucker loves my boyfriend and hates me. :( He bites and scratches me constantly, and cuddles up with my boyfriend and sleeps between us so I can't even spoon! I mean, I'm happy we got a fiv negative, disease free, fixed, cute as hell kitty.... but he hates me. Maybe it's because we named him Lars Von Trier. read more

PAWS Downtown Adoption Center - He hates me. - Animal Shelters Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

There's the current and there's those who swim against it. I believe most people go through their daily lives without giving much thought to the thousands of abandoned, rejected, and even euthanized animals in our country. I believe most people give some peripheral thought to the overpopulation of dogs and cats but fail to become invested in their stories. Take one step in PAWS, and it's near impossible not to become invested. PAWS swims upstream, a no-kill shelter in Philadelphia, which no one could argue is the most pet-friendly place. The amount of neglect, abuse, and abandonment in Philadelphia is tragic, but thanks to a small, dedicated staff and a loving group of volunteers, PAWS powers against the current. They welcome browsers, volunteers, and of course potential adopters. PAWS is an animal adoption center, but it's also a house full of stories. Each and every animal here has a story to tell, and that story is unfinished. It may be that you're a main character in the chapters to come... As for the one or two negative reviews on here. Please disregard. Notice that this business is not named "PAWS rescue center." It is an "Adoption Center." For animals in need of care, there are other institutions, namely animal control or veterinarians. PAWS is operated by a small staff with very limited space, so it is unfair to expect them to be able to take animals off the street from whoever calls or stops by. Trust me, no one cares more about animals than the staffs of shelters like these, but there are financial and material limitations. So, please don't heed the few uninformed criticisms below. PAWS is also something of a destination, if you ask me. If you're visiting Philadelphia, or happen to be a local spending the day in Old City, share a little time with the animals at the Adoption Center on 2nd and Arch. You won't regret it. read more

PAWS Downtown Adoption Center - Adopt at 2nd & Arch. - Animal Shelters Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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This place is a joke. I'm not trying to convince anyone not to adopt a pet here but just know that you will be treated very rudely and disrespectfully. read more

My husband and I had been talking about cat adoption for a month or so and popped in on a whim while headed to Old City for brunch. When we got there, they offered to have us go in and meet a few cats that were already in meeting rooms and to fill out an application at that time. The cats were obviously super sweet and the employees helpful, but there wasn't a cat we connected with. They showed us their foster board so we could see others that were up for adoption. My husband loves tuxedo cats and there were several so we were asking about how to meet them. For whatever reason, I asked if they ever got Siamese cats that had been surrendered. I was told it was rare, but then another gentleman spoke up and said they had one, but he was new and super anxious and had a towel covering his cage to help ease his anxiety. They invited me back to his cage to meet him and as soon as he cuddled my hand with his face, I was sunk. Since we were initially looking for a kitten and he was 2-4 years old, we decided to talk about it. We went down the block and had a coffee and agreed that we wanted him. We immediately went back and asked what we needed to do to proceed. They had us go over a few pet care points and then we were done. Unfortunately, we still hadn't ate, so I asked if I could pay and come back after brunch. The guy was great and said not to worry about it and we'd finish paperwork once we got back. After brunch I went back with my kid as my husband Ubered home to get our car. We purchased a crate and some Keep Off spray for a couple of leather chairs we have and it came to just a tad over $100. I was astonished by the price; most places we'd looked were over $200, usually $250. Anyway, we took home our new baby, Ezra, and while he's still adjusting, he is one of the sweetest and most beautiful cats I've ever met. I truly cannot say enough good things about PAWS. The staff was very knowledgeable and kind. They obviously care very much about the pets they have and their save rate proves it. I've read a couple of reviews saying that they felt judged; so what. They are handing you over a life, I want them to vet you as much as they can. Just because you can walk in and afford to adopt a pet, doesn't mean you're qualified to have one. I appreciate the work they put in to make sure they are adopting out to great parents. The cats come with shots and our spayed/neutered. They also offer a complimentary visit to their clinic if something arises in the first couple of weeks. They also have vets who will do a complimentary check up within 21 days. They also send you home with a small bag of the food they are fed. The only downside of the visit is that it's very small, which I guess is expected in Old City. If you're claustrophobic like myself, it can be very stressful. Outside of that, it was a fantastic experience and now we have a wonderful new family member who we already adore. read more

PAWS Downtown Adoption Center - Had a wonderful experience adopting Ezra (Ellison Smith, as they called him). Highly recommend adopting for PAWS! - Animal Shelters Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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I've come here over the years for a few reasons including looking for a cat to adopt at one point. They have a wonderful variety of cats only at this location. (Their dogs can be found online only and live in foster homes as this location is tiny.) They have cats of all shapes and sizes, even some with issues that require a bit more care and attention. I love this! Their adoption process is quite thorough and their background checks are as well. While I did not adopt here not for any reason other than I was given a kitten that was found abandoned in a house by a friend, I was very happy with their process and felt secure adopting here. I probably wouldn't go elsewhere if it came time to look again. The staff is well trained, well informed and you can tell they really enjoy what they're doing. The faculty while super small, its well kept and clean. I just wish it was large enough for pups and more kitties to play free. That's my only reason for a 4 versus 5 star. I hate seeing cats in cages. :( Most recently I stopped by to make donations in honor of both an animal lover as well as in memory for an animal that had passed. It was proven to be a very nice and appreciated sentiment around the holidays. They have cards I was able to send stating a donation was made, not including the exact amount. This is my new go-to when someone I care for has a pet that passes or for someone who needs nothing when it comes time for gift-giving. They have a since sent me emails with photos of animals who have been helped by my donations. It feels really wonderful, it helps the animals and it makes someone smile. A win for all. Consider it! read more

Who could give a non profit animal shelter less then 5 stars? This place is great! You go in and play and interact with the cats! Find the one you like and bring them home! We donate a lot to this place since my husband is allergic to cats and I love cats. So on days I'm stressed or upset, he would take me and let me play with cats for a good long time. Makes me very happy when I see animals being well taken care of. Bring a lin roller if you plan to go. I got cat hair all over me every time I go! read more

PAWS Downtown Adoption Center - Animal Shelters Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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PAWS approved me for a cat whom was going to be my emotional support animal and then few hours before she was going to be in my hands they called and said they gave her to someone else. Despite being approved for her for a week and a half, they messed up her paperwork and had forgotten there had already been interest in her. They still hadn't approved that persons adoption papers but because he applied first they chose him. They wouldn't admit fault or any responsibility. I am crushed and although I think the organization does great things and is important to support in general, be aware that if you are looking for an emotional support animal that you could face this type of experience which obviously has caused so much more distress. read more

I don't feel ready to adopt after my loss but it helps to see and spend time with these amazing cats. I'm not sure if I'll foster but it makes my loss easier. This is a non-destructive shelter. read more

I went in with a friend who was interested in adopting a cat, already reluctant to go because I heard inethical things about them. Their set up is clean and organized, so I'll give them that. But, I was confused why there were 6 cats in one room, and only one in another. Similarly, the employees were very pushy...telling us we could get approved and take a cat home the same day...sketchy. One cat in particular really made me mad about this place: Jerry. He and his brother were both surrendered by their owner a while back. Immediately, PAWS decided it would be a good idea to seperate them (rookie mistake). During Jerry's stay, he contracted an eye infection that left him partially blind, leading me to believe the shelter waited until the last minute to treat him. I've had a cat who got an eye infection before, and treated at a reasonable time, no scarring that bad should occur. Now, he is unwanted because of his blindness and his brother has already been adopted. The cat has a great spirit, acting more like a dog than a cat. But, PAWS made his life since being with its owner hellish. Unacceptable. And it's known that PAWS ONLY takes healthy animals, so there's really no excuse here. If you want to adopt, I recommend Morris Animal Refuge. They take in every animal regardless of its health and spend hundreds of thousands on surgeries to make their animals more adoptable. Plus, there's a legitimate background check and approval process...seems more realistic seeing as they're giving away a living thing! read more

I don't mean to discourage anyone from adopting from there, but I do encourage you to first ask lots of questions and understand exactly what the application process entails. And have a Plan B if it doesn't work out for you. I applaud their work, but think there might be unintended consequences to their application process. I thought that having a spoiled, healthy, 16 year old cat proved my worthiness to adopt another cat in need. In their eyes, since I didn't take him in every single year for check-ups, I was not and was turned down. I don't go to the doctor that often! I've spend lots of money and time on regular as well as emergency vet services when he needed it, like when I was a broke college student but my roommate accidentally let him out and he got injured and needed surgery. Although I don't agree with their criteria, I understand it and accept that I did not meet their standards. However what upset me most was wasting my time and getting my hopes up. If I had known in advance that this was how strict they were going to be, I would not have bothered with an application. The judgmental demeanor of the particular volunteer I interacted was not helpful either. This happened a few years ago and I wasn't going to share it, but I'm thinking about adopting again. They have good intentions and do good work, but sadly I can't be part of the cause and will have to find another way, and there are many, to give a good home to an animal in need. read more

Personally, whenever I'm having a crappy day, I stop by PAWS on my way home from work. Sharing my love with some much deserving animals is an instant pick-me-up. This location has a few rooms full of (more social) kitties, a wall of cages for those who can't be with other cats (for health or personality reasons) and, occasionally, a room or two with a dog. The fact that you're able to play with the animals is a big plus for this place. And they work with volunteers to provide fostering, which is a great way to temporarily house animals AND keep the adoption center a little less cramped. (You guys, if I didn't already have three demanding felines controlling my house, I'd foster a litter of kittens in a second! And I'm dying to adopt this little guy I met there last week, Ray Charles, a cat born without eyes. It was love at first sight--on my part, of course. What a sweetie!) Not only do the staff members/volunteers seem to genuinely care for the animals, they are quite knowledgeable about them (and the organization), too. This place is no sleazy pet store, that's for sure. What more can I add that the other reviewers haven't said? Hmm ... I'll just reiterate: This place truly does do great things for the needy animals in Philly. Bringing humans and fur friends together, for love! read more

:) I like animals, and they are a no-kill shelter that has just adopted out their 10,000th animal!!! Congratulations, PAWS and all the little pets that have been adopted and their human families! I occasionally stop by this location to donate items, and this place is pretty clean and the volunteers are friendly. Also, the cats are sooooo cute. read more

My partner and I fostered four kittens from PAWS for three months, and after having a great experience with it, we plan to do it again. Everyone there was incredibly friendly and helpful, despite the fact that they are always swamped with a billion animals who need saving. One of our kittens had to come in for nearly weekly visits, and although we sometimes had to wait a long time to be seen, no one was ever unkind to us and we understood. Dr. Jen did everything she could to help our foster kitten with mysterious blood in her urine, including personally doing her spay surgery so that she could check her out further without having to open her up twice. In the end, there seemed to be no explanation. But after all that she did for the kitten, and the kindness and very thorough checkups that the kitten received, we told Dr. Jen we wished we could bring our adult cat and dog to her! If you're considering fostering for PAWS, I highly recommend it. PAWS takes care of spay/neuter, and the process is relatively simple (email for an appointment, drop them in the morning, pick them up at night). They also take care of their basic vet care on-site, and it was never too hard for us to get an appointment. You're responsible for the finding-them-homes part. Kittens are cute and stinky and fun and troublemakers all at the same time, so if you're prepared for the less fun aspects of pet fostering (giving meds, cleaning up messes, etc) they're worth every ounce of work. PAWS makes fostering pretty simple. We now have adopted out all four kittens in pairs to great homes. All we have to do is drop off their final paperwork, and soon we'll be ready to foster again! read more

I adopted my cat Spooky here about a year ago and we have continued to visit regularly because we live about a block away and try to buy all of Spooky's food here to continue to support the PAWS mission. Spooky (known as Cali Girl in the adoption center but that was too boring of a name for a calico so we changed it) was living in this no-kill shelter for 8 months without being adopted. It was clear that they think about the needs of the cat in the center because Spooky had been in the social housing but wasn't comfortable there so they brought her out into an individual cage. Because she had been there so long they offered a 'name your own price' adoption fee but I felt like she had overstayed her welcome so I paid the reasonable $50 adoption fee anyway. The staff was very serious about screening to make sure we were good candidates for adoption and even called our landlord to make sure we were allowed to have a cat in our apartment. Fortunately we passed the test and our year with Spooky has been amazing! Their description of her personality was true and it was important for us to give her time to get comfortable in our home and get over the stress of living with so many other cats. The one thing I will say about PAWS it they do not seem to pay attention to what flavors of kibbles they stock and every time we go buy a new bag from them it seems like we get a different flavor (same brand, same type). This isn't really a problem but our cat is a little picky about food and usually takes a day or two to adjust to the new flavor. So if your cat is very particular, make sure you check the package to make sure you get the same flavor every time. But I still love PAWS! read more

Great place to volunteer. The dogs are great to run with. The staff is very helpful. I volunteer with monster miles to run or walk with the dogs that are rescued and ready for adoption. They have a great selections of cats to adopt as well. They have a strict screening process for adopting a pet. It's great place to volunteer. read more

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I have nothing but praise for PAWS! I went to the Olde City location last Monday;t he staff were friendly and very helpful. My initial plan was to wait until the "Clear The Shelters" even this past Saturday, and had been told over the telephone that the sooner I got my application in, the better chance I had of having it approved before the event. When I arrived, my application was reviewed and approved on the spot; I think it was because I had it already completed, plus copies of my other cats' medical records and proof of residence. I didn't see any kittens that interested me there, so went online and looked at the ones being fostered. I found four kittens that I liked, and after contacting the people who were fostering them, I chose an adorable 3-month-old gray tabby and white male kitten. His foster parent and I talked on the phone and set up a meeting for Wednesday at the Grays Ferry location where she worked. The paperwork was completed, and I brought my kitten home! We'll be returning for Some people feel that the detailed application is too personal, but PAWS only has the animals' welfare in mind, and wants to make sure that they will be going to loving homes for life. read more

Before you can adopt a pet you first have to pass a background check which takes up to 3 weeks to process. Initially I wanted a dog but after a careful consideration I decided to go with a cat. Paws center city location is rather small comparing to the one in Northeast Philly. Despite its size they had quite a large selection of cats at that time. Picking a cat is not an easy matter. Some are the right color and some present the right personality. I went with the one that ignored me the most. Which is also the case when I pick my human companions. Entire adoption process was super fast and after 30 min I was on my way home with a lady of my life. Staff at center city location couldn't be more helpful and very professional. Its been about 7 months since the adoption and I couldn't be happier with my cat. I would like to also note that all cats come fixed and are current with all immunizations. You will need a cage on site in order to be allowed to take your pet home. Bring your own or purchase one at Paws. read more

PAWS Downtown Adoption Center - Animal Shelters Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

I love this place! This is where I got my two cats Holly and Madison. They are so sweet and adventurous and fill my life with so much joy and laughter. They are wonderful cats and while I know they are very special and unique, there are many cats who are similarly adorable and loving. They have some dogs too! Come over to add a member to your family :) read more

I love this place! I think it is the most wonderful place on earth! If you love animals, then you need to check it out! Even if you don't plan on adopting, you can still go interact and play with the animals. I learned about this place when I was looking for some volunteer work I can do in the city. I fell in love with it the first time I visited it. The cats there are very sweet and gentle. And the dogs are very energetic and enthusiastic upon seeing people. The animals are taken very good care of. And they are constantly coming of cool events that will help adopt out these adorable creatures! I adopted my cat from it and I love her very much! The staff and volunteers working there are very friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable! I think this place is run by the most selfless, caring, and sympathetic people ever. They basically pull out animals that are at risk of being killed at the animal control shelter in the city and adopt them out to caring and loving families. I have went through the adoption process once so I know they will carefully make sure the animal is great fit for the family. Philly paws truly makes a difference. read more

Tried to adopt a cat, but they said since I don't have a vet reference I couldn't... why would I have vet reference if I don't currently own an animal. So stupid. read more

My boyfriend and I adopted our first cat, a 6 month old calico, from PAWS almost a year ago today. We had a great experience and wouldn't hesitate to continue to support PAWS. Pros - Extremely friendly and helpful staff - They took our personalities into account and suggested the very kitten that we adopted. She's a perfect match for us. - A week after we adopted her, we realized she had a bit of a cold. We were able to see a vet and were given meds free of charge the same day we called. - They gave a spot on assessment of her personalty (She is definitely "most spirited" and does not like other cats) - The neuter/spaying/vaccinations were already taken care of for us which made things extremely easy Cons - Parking in old city can be sort of difficult depending on when you go. We didn't take public transportation because we knew we were likely going to adopting and didn't want to subject our new friend to the MFL read more

It's about 80% dogs 20% cats, but the GF and I were able to pick up two adorable kittens here. The staff was incredibly helpful (and patient) with us during our search. Being in Old City provides this place with a lot of foot traffic, which can make it seem cramped and stuffy at times but the volunteers make sure all stays calm. You can play with cats and dogs (pending approval) in private rooms and the center is associated with a larger network across the city. read more

PAWS is an incredible organization with selfless and amazing people working there. the Allisons and all of the volunteers do such an amazing job running the adoption center. It takes huge huge hearts to do what they do everyday. All the animals are well cared for and PAWS does a great job setting the animals up for a forever home. They adoption cost is very reasonable for everything you get (vaccines, spay/neuter and micro chipped) and when they run through the behavior profiles of the animals you can tell they really spent time with each animal instead of just pulling some random facts out of their air. I urge everyone to check out their website, check out the adoption center and really consider adopting, fostering or volunteering. read more

My partner and I adopted a cat from PAWS and we absolutely love her. The entire staff was very pleasant and patient and we are so glad we came here and found an addition to our family. I love what you guys do here and if we adopt again, it'll definitely be through you guys. Thanks so much! read more

So happy we adopted from PAWS Downtown Adoption Center. The application process was thorough, but quick. They were very helpful, and it was obvious they cared very much about the dog we adopted. They offered free veterinary visit & treatment in our local area if we could not come to them. I did follow up with my own vet, who was very happy with the health of the dog. PAWS did follow up for 3 weeks & give you online access to contact them any time. We are in love with our new rescue & grateful to PAWS for all their consideration. read more

I adopted a kitten from PAWS and I am very happy with my experience. I had filled out an online application a few days prior, and went in person because I had time and I was in the area. They received some kitties a few hours earlier, and I fell in love with the kitty I took home. The process was quick and painless! Very friendly service from the good people working the shelter. read more

Slightly conflicted about this place. Speaking in regards to my own personal experience, they were super helpful to me when I completed an application online and went into a day later to ask about a cat I was interested in adopting. They reviewed and approved my application for me while I was in the center and I got to go home with my kitty that night. They are super, super knowledgeable (they gave me so much history about the cat), super helpful (they told me a lot of things that would be beneficial to the cat I was adopting based on her personality, history, and needs), there was no pressure to adopt, and they offer things like free visits to their wellness clinic within 3 weeks post-adoption should anything come up. Also, they must be doing something right in terms of screening people who wish to adopt or foster because my kitty was previously fostered and is one of the most well-behaved, most precious, sweetest, smartest cats I have ever encountered. My only complaint personally is that, from my experience, they don't seem to care much about you unless you've already submitted an application and already have a kitty in mind to adopt. Still, based on this, they definitely deserve 4.5 stars. On the other hand, while I was in the center completing my adoption paperwork there were a couple people in the center inquiring about adopting a cat and completing applications. It just so happened that both people's applications were rejected - one was seemingly because of his answer to the question of declawing. The PAWS employee asked him if he would ever declaw and he said he didn't know, so the employee proceeded to explain to him what declawing was in a fairly neutral way - she didn't explain that they don't want you to declaw and that the common belief is that declawing is traumatic for a cat - so then he finally answered with "well, if I have to I guess I will" (which in my opinion seemed like a reluctant answer just to make the employee happy). The employee responded with, "well you don't have to, we just want to know if you would," (again, not explaining that their position is against declawing and that a requirement to adopt is that you answer "no" to that question). They went back and forth a few times until she basically forced a "yes, I would consider declawing" out of him (which again, in my opinion seemed very reluctant - almost as if he were answering that way because her line of questioning was suggestive that he should answer that way). I'm not 100% sure of the other person's reason for getting rejected, but I just heard the other employee say "because of your answers on your application we will have to reject you." This was a little off-putting to me because it felt like trickery. Instead of explaining the requirements for adoptions or educating about their position on declawing to people who may have never had a cat, may not have had a cat for a long time, may have never been asked about declawing, may be from a different culture with different exposures and beliefs, etc. but may have been wonderful cat parents otherwise with the right education, they were rejected outright with no explanation as to why. And just like that, an opportunity for a cat or two to find a loving home right then so that another cat or two could move out of their shelter and into their adoption center to get adopted was missed. I understand, and appreciate, the need for strict adoption requirements. But I don't understand and appreciate trickery or refusal to educate. read more

I've come to the conclusion that nothing in life is more difficult than wanting a cat my entire life and growing up with two parents who are both severely allergic to them. Fortunately, when I got my own apartment, I started making plans to bring a cat into my life and give them a "fur-ever" home. After a few visits to the PAWS adoption center to play with some of their cats, I decided they'd be the ones from whom I would adopt my soon-to-be furry companion. The adoption center always welcomes visitors with open arms, even if you are not planning to adopt; though the cats who play well with other cats live in rooms together and the ones who don't live in cages. The center only keeps one or two dogs onsite, so the ratio of cats to dogs is definitely much higher on the cat end. PAWS does not put pets on hold, though I filled out the adoption paperwork about a month before I came in to adopt my cat, and once I was notified that I had been approved and that my apartment's pet policy had been confirmed, I was all set, but the only thing missing was a cat. Finally, on April 19, 2014, I set foot in the PAWS adoption center to find the perfect cat. When I mentioned I was looking for a fairly young cat who would do well in a small apartment (mine is 400 sq. ft.) who was affectionate and likes to cuddle, the shelter staff suggested a cat named Chalk. Her estimated age was 4-6 years old so that threw me off, but they assured me that was only an estimate and that the age was to be taken with a grain of salt because the amount of tartar buildup on the cat's teeth is what they use as their criterion. After spending a bit of time with this kitty, I decided to take her home. I signed the agreement, bought a carrier, and was sent off with a small bag of cat food with my kitty in tow. I have since renamed her Beaker, but I am glad to report she is happily adjusting to her new home. I would HIGHLY recommend PAWS to anyone who is looking to adopt a cat; the staff is so helpful, friendly, and will assist you in finding one who will make a wonderful addition to your home and your life. Thank you PAWS (from me AND Beaker!) read more

I adopted a cat from this PAWS location a few months ago, and can't say enough good things about them! My husband and I showed up at the adoption center one Saturday, about an hour before closing time. The staff asked us to fill out an adoption application, which they promised to review while we met some of the cats. This involved exploring 3 rooms full of cats, who are all just sort of hanging out. We fell in love with one of the cats, and were really happy to hear that we could take her home that day! The adoption application was pretty detailed and included a background check, so I was impressed at how fast the staff reviewed it. A friendly staff member (unfortunately, I forgot her name) also interviewed us to make sure we actually knew how to care for a cat. She also went through their conditions for adoption, gave us some information about the PAWS veterinary clinic, etc. All of their adoptable cats are already spayed/neutered and microchipped, which is awesome. You also get a free 30 days of pet insurance, and a little bag of dry cat food. They have a little shop in the adoption center, which meant that we could buy the essentials (crate, litterbox, dishes, etc.) right there instead of making a trip to the pet store and returning later for our cat. I love that PAWS tries to match people with the *right* pet, one that you're actually prepared to care for. My childhood dog was adopted from a different rescue organization, and they didn't put nearly as much effort into matching us with a pet. The PAWS staff asked lots of questions about our lifestyle, and steered us away from animals we couldn't care for (e.g., a cat who didn't like being alone and needed a buddy at home). They helped us find the perfect cat: affectionate but not too needy, playful but not destructive, and ok with being an only pet. They also take measures to ensure the animals are always cared for. Adopters sign a contract promising to return their pets to PAWS-- not a different shelter-- in the event that they need to surrender them, for example. They also make you promise not to declaw your cat, which I can definitely appreciate. This has been a very long review, but I *did* tell you that I can't say enough good things. I love the work that PAWS does, and will definitely encourage others to adopt from them. read more

PAWS is an amazing rescue organization. They work hard to save Philly's most vulnerable homeless pets. I can say that the staff and volunteers are nothing short of amazing. They are faced with a very tough challenge and they meet it with love and determination. I have fostered numerous litters of cats and two dogs through PAWS and I felt supported the entire way. (They have a great, active on-line forum for those who are interested in fostering. Whenever I have questions, another volunteer will reply to me within hours!) Our dog and cat are both PAWS pets and they're the best critters in the whole world. (Everyone says that though, right?) If you ever consider getting involved with pet rescue, stop by the Adoption Center at 2nd and Arch. Help is needed most in the mornings from around 9-11, and then again in the late afternoons - but every bit helps. Wondering what volunteering looks like? We volunteer every week and we walk dogs, tidy up cat kennels, hang out with felines in the cat "rooms" or mop the floors. There is something for everyone and every week it's a special experience. I cannot say enough good things about the PAWS crew. I'd give them 10 stars if I could. Remember - when you adopt you save not only one life, but two. You take your future pet out of the shelter, which opens up space for another homeless pet. The PAWS Adoption Center is bright, cheery and a good-feeling place to be. Also - you can pick up pet supplies (toys, litter, treats, etc) here too while you stop in to volunteer or spend time with the pets. Great idea! I love it's central location too! Foster, Adopt, Volunteer, Donate. read more

Adopted a cat from here last week!!!! The adoption center is small but clean. They definitely take good care of the animals and get to know their personality. I read on their website that when an animal is adopted from PAWS they go to the city shelter and save a life from there! Awesome! read more